15 Cheap Birthday Gift Ideas Friends and Neighbors Will Love
Can you spread the birthday love without breaking the bank? Yes!
These creative and affordable birthday gift ideas help give your budget a breather, while still making others feel special.
These cheap birthday gifts are great for:
- Friends
- Neighbors
- Teachers
- Coworkers
- Volunteer workers
- Host/Hostess
- Caretakers
- Service workers
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Top 15 Budget-Friendly Birthday Gift Ideas
1. Fun Drink Kit
One of the simplest gifts for a neighbor, friend, or family is a DIY drink mix. It’s consumable and clutter free. Plus, who doesn’t love a festive drink?!
You can pair this with the time of year the birthday is in:
Winter
- Hot chocolate bar kit
- Spiced Mulled wine (adults)
- Cranberry Orange Hot Toddy Mix (adults)
Spring
- Starbucks copycat pink drink
- Raspberry Mint Fizz Mix (adults)
- Mimosa kit (adults)
Summer
- Lemonade mix
- Pineapple Coconut Slushy
- Mojito mix (adults)
Fall
- Warm apple cider kit
- Pumpkin spice latte ingredients
- Chai Latte Mix
- Cranberry mule mix (adults)
Pair the drink mix with fun cups, a cute pitcher/jar, and creative mix-ins for a gift they’ll love. You can also do a coffee or tea sampler any time of year!
To make it even more budget-friendly, whip up a big batch to divide into multiple gifts within each season.
2. Potted Plant or Succulent
A small, low-maintenance plant or succulent is a cheerful gift that adds greenery to any space.
If your recipient is a budding cook, gift a small set of herb seeds, a pot, and soil for a fun herb garden.
3. Decorative Dish Towels
Pick up a set of cute or seasonal dish towels for a gift that’s both practical and charming.
4. Mini Photo Frame with a Memory
Print a special photo of a shared moment and place it in a small, elegant frame.
5. Notebook or Journal
Gift a stylish notebook or journal that can be used for jotting down ideas, recipes, or daily reflections. I love this simple leather journal.
Pro Tip: Choose a gift idea that works for multiple people on your list. Buy the items in bulk to save both money (and extra trips to the store)!
6. DIY Spa & Bath Gift
*Perfect for a friend, mom, or teacher
Create a simple DIY gift for an at-home spa experience.
- Homemade budget-friendly soap
- Honey and Lavender Milk Bath
- Bath salts- mix Epsom salt, baking soda, and calming essential oils
- Foot soak in a Jar- mix Epsom salts, baking soda, and essential oil
7. Movie or Game Night
*Great for a budget-friendly family gift
Create an affordable movie night gift box with:
- popcorn
- fun popcorn seasoning
- candy
- soda or sparkling water
Personalize it by adding a list of your favorite recent movies.
Throw in a card game to turn it into a game night box!
8. Handmade Bookmark
Craft a beautiful bookmark using ribbons, beads, or laminated decorative paper for the book lover in your life.
9. Personalized Cheap Birthday gift Ideas
Add names or initials to small affordable items for a thoughtful touch.
Here are some unique favorites for under $10 on Amazon:
10. Homemade Treats
You can NEVER go wrong with treats made right in your kitchen. Bake cookies, brownies, or muffins, and package them in a decorative box or tin.
11. Freezer Meal
Do you have a busy friend? Nothing beats the gift of a homemade meal when you don’t have time to cook!
The best part of gifting a freezer meal is that…
- It’s easy. You can simply double a meal you’re already making.
- It can go right into the freezer if they aren’t ready to eat it. Then it’s easy to pull out on a busy day.
Delicious, easy meals to use are southwest chicken and rice, taco soup, and homemade spaghetti sauce.
12. Cooking spices
Buy or make a set of premium spices to elevate your friend’s culinary creations. It’s adds flavor and flair to their kitchen adventures.
The most used mixes are taco, fajita, Italian, and ranch seasoning.
13. Reusable water bottle
A stylish and eco-friendly water bottle keeps them hydrated all day while reducing plastic waste. It’s also perfect for on-the-go convenience.
14. Cozy socks
Gift soft, warm socks designed to keep their feet toasty. It’s great for lounging at home or adding a bit of comfort to their wardrobe.
15. DIY Candle Jar
Create a scented candle in a mason jar using wax and essential oils. Customize the scent to suit their personality!
More Ways To Save At Birthdays
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